Jiang Yuekai's initial fondness for Gu Jiang stemmed largely from his maturity compared to his peers. However, his behavior today was so childish it made her question her own judgment.
"I'm going home," Jiang Yuekai said, getting up to leave.
Gu Jiang realized he had been emotional and said things he shouldn't have. He quickly stepped forward, blocking her path, his expression somewhat lost. "Yuekai, I'm sorry. I was too impulsive just now."
"That's why I said we need to calm down separately, and then we can talk," Jiang Yuekai replied.
Gu Jiang asked cautiously, "Are you going to break up with me?"
Jiang Yuekai didn't know how to describe her feelings. Did Gu Jiang really see her as the type of girl who would break up at the slightest disagreement?
Upon hearing Jiang Yuekai say she wouldn't break up, Gu Jiang finally relaxed. Their dinner plans were ruined, and they each returned home.
When Jiang Yuekai arrived home, Liang Yufeng was preparing dinner in the kitchen. Seeing her return, Lan Lan found it unusual. "Didn't you go out to dinner with Gu Jiang?"
Jiang Yuekai didn't answer, her expression somewhat dejected. She placed the pastries she was holding on the coffee table. Lan Lan then noticed they were from Kyoto.
If she remembered correctly, Lin Jingchu had just returned from Kyoto. Were these a gift from him?
Jiang Yuekai and Gu Jiang had argued, and she was in a bad mood. During dinner, when Lan Lan and Liang Yufeng inquired, she recounted the afternoon's events.
After hearing the full story, Lan Lan and Liang Yufeng exchanged a look. Jiang Yuekai hadn't been seeing Lin Jingchu much lately, and Lan Lan had assumed it was Jiang Yuekai proactively avoiding him. She hadn't expected it to be at Gu Jiang's request.
This Gu Jiang actually demanded that Jiang Yuekai never see Lin Jingchu again... that was far too childish.
"You actually listened to him before? No wonder you haven't mentioned Jingchu for so long," Lan Lan said.
Jiang Yuekai replied, "When he told me, I tried to put myself in his shoes and understood his perspective. I was already being mindful of appearances, after all, we're not children anymore."
But she had been mindful for months. Today, Gu Jiang's single sentence negated her previous efforts and demanded she never see Lin Jingchu again. This was clearly an unreasonable request.
Lan Lan and Liang Yufeng also felt Gu Jiang's actions were indeed childish. They could understand his point of view, but if such childishness affected Jiang Yuekai's mood, it was hardly worth it.
Lan Lan and Liang Yufeng didn't offer advice or interfere with her decision. After speaking, Jiang Yuekai's mood had somewhat calmed. She then spoke of Lin Jingchu again, "Now I feel very sorry for Brother Jingchu."
"Consider it carefully," Liang Yufeng advised. "If you want to continue dating Gu Jiang, this issue must be resolved. Otherwise, you'll have the same conflict again next time."
At their age, relationships were too fragile to withstand constant friction.
Jiang Yuekai had already considered this on her way home. "Yes, I will make things clear with Gu Jiang. If he can't accept that I have male friends, then there's no point in us being together."
Although she liked him, she didn't want to argue every day. Arguing until they parted on bad terms was worse than stopping here. At least this way, they could retain some fond memories.
Hearing Jiang Yuekai's words, Lan Lan gave her a thumbs-up. She was indeed her daughter, someone who would never be led around by a man. She didn't have to worry about her being blinded by love.
Before going to sleep that night, Jiang Yuekai received an apology message from Gu Jiang. It was a lengthy message, suggesting he had calmed down. However, Jiang Yuekai didn't reply. Her anger hadn't subsided yet. If Gu Jiang apologized and she forgave him immediately, the cost of his tantrums would be too low.
Upon closer inspection, there was also an unread message from Lin Jingchu. He had written, "Can I come over after 9:30?"
Jiang Yuekai felt guilty towards Lin Jingchu at this moment. After a moment of consideration, she asked, "Are you at home or the apartment? I'll come to you!"
Lin Jingchu replied, "At the apartment. Shall I wait for you then?"
Jiang Yuekai responded, "I'll bring you breakfast!"
Lin Jingchu was stunned when he saw the message. Jiang Yuekai had been avoiding him, and now her attitude had completely changed. He found himself unaccustomed to it.
After a long pause, he replied, "Okay."
Jiang Yuekai woke up early the next morning. As the housekeeper was cooking, she specifically asked her to make an extra portion and pack it into a thermos for Lin Jingchu.
Today, she was going to "beg for forgiveness" from Lin Jingchu, and her attitude had to be sincere.
After breakfast, Jiang Yuekai left. She had visited Lin Jingchu's apartment so often before that she knew the route by heart.
When Jiang Yuekai arrived, Lin Jingchu had just finished his morning workout. He had showered, his hair was still damp, and he was wearing a light blue hoodie. He looked handsome and vibrant.
As Jiang Yuekai entered, Lin Jingchu, without her needing to ask, brought out slippers for her. She handed him the lunchbox. "Breakfast. Steamed dumplings today."
"Thank you," Lin Jingchu said, taking it. Jiang Yuekai followed him towards the kitchen. Lin Jingchu asked her, "Have you eaten?"
"I've eaten. You go ahead and eat," she replied. Upon entering the kitchen, Jiang Yuekai skillfully turned on Lin Jingchu's coffee machine and began preparing coffee. Lin Jingchu, meanwhile, sat at the dining table to eat.
He watched Jiang Yuekai busy herself at the coffee machine, and it felt as if he had returned to the past, to when Jiang Yuekai used to visit him before she started dating Gu Jiang.
"Ah, I've got shaky hands again!" Jiang Yuekai was attempting latte art. A perfectly formed design was ruined by a tremor, much to her frustration.
Lin Jingchu put down his chopsticks, got up to look, and saw she was drawing a leaf, but the finishing stroke was messy. "Let me help you. We'll do it again."
Jiang Yuekai nodded. Then, the two began to collaborate. Lin Jingchu stood behind Jiang Yuekai, his tall frame enveloping her. His hands reached around her, and at first glance, it looked as if he were hugging her from behind.
Jiang Yuekai was engrossed in her latte art and didn't notice.
With Lin Jingchu's help, Jiang Yuekai's second attempt was perfect. She smiled happily and turned to speak to him, but her forehead brushed against his lips.
Both of them froze. Jiang Yuekai's face flushed. Why hadn't she noticed they were so close just now...
"There," Lin Jingchu quickly stepped back.
The soft touch on his lips made his head feel a little dizzy, but he couldn't show it. He could only pretend to be calm and returned to the dining table, burying himself in his meal.
Jiang Yuekai, still embarrassed, carried her coffee and sat down, not even daring to look at Lin Jingchu opposite her.
They had known each other since childhood, and there had been physical contact before. But the atmosphere just now felt different from anything before...
Moreover, his lips had truly touched her forehead, coolly, as if he were kissing her.
Jiang Yuekai's emotions were complex. She kept telling herself it was an accident, but her heart rate wouldn't slow down.
Was it because she had never been this close to someone of the opposite sex?